Valero Energy’s role as a Gold Associate Supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Wales has been recognised with a visit to Portfield School to meet pupils who have completed their Gold Award, thanks to the financial support from Pembroke Refinery.

As a longstanding supporter of DofE, Valero’s support for young people across Pembrokeshire and Wales has enabled many to develop skills, take part in physical challenges, volunteering projects and plan expeditions. In recent years this has included pupils at Portfield School in Haverfordwest, with Valero support crucial to enable the school to offer Gold Award opportunities to pupils who have completed their Bronze and Silver projects.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Wales partnerships manager, Ian Gwilym, said: “Valero are fantastic loyal supporters of the DofE programme in Wales and Pembrokeshire. The company’s significant annual donation as a treasured Gold Associate Supporter really does make a huge difference. It is brilliant to see the direct result of this support by celebrating the very successful Portfield School Gold project. Huge congratulations to all the young people, this is no quick win award, it really does take a high degree of tenacity, commitment and collective teamwork. Big thanks must also go to the brilliant leaders at the school and the wider support of the Pembrokeshire DofE team steered by Dave Sommerville.”

Valero public affairs manager, Stephen Thornton, said: “Pembroke Refinery is proud of our longstanding involvement as a supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Wales, and it is always amazing to see the positive impact our support has for young people across Pembrokeshire. DofE is a world renowned youth development programme and our annual £10,000 donation as a Gold Associate is our way of giving back to our communities, particularly the next generation.”